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PhD student wins symphony award for original composition

Claire Jordan's winning entry will be performed by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music next year.

Claire Jordan, a composer and University of Sydney PhD candidate, is the winner of the David Harold Tribe Symphony Award for 2012.

The competition was open to all emerging and established composers nation-wide and attracted more than 40 submissions. Entrants were required to put forward an anonymous, original, 20 minute composition for a symphonic orchestra in three or more movements.

The adjudicating panel, comprising of Dr Karl Kramer, Associate Professor Peter McCallum, Dr Joanna Drimatis and Senior Lecturer Daryl Pratt, felt Ms Jordan's composition The Origin of Time stood out because of the skilful and sophisticated development of unfolding textures and harmonies. Mr Pratt commented: "The Origin of Time has a rhythmic layering, which is particularly effective in the way it takes the listener on a beautifully constructed kaleidoscopic journey in sound."

Ms Jordan will receive $12,000 and her composition will be performed for the first time by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in semester two next year.

Ms Jordan, who is currently working on her PhD at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, said: "It is very difficult to get orchestral music performed if you are not a recognised composer and so this award presents an amazing opportunity for people like me. It is exciting to think that I will get to see my work come to life."

The David Harold Tribe Symphony Award forms part of a comprehensive awards program that supports a diverse range of cultural pursuits at the University of Sydney. The program offers up five prizes worth $12,000 each in the areas of fiction, poetry, philosophy, sculpture and symphony. These categories rotate each year to inspire ingenuity in artistic fields that are often overlooked when it comes to charitable support.

"While there are variety of high profile awards for music, painting and poetry, very few offer generous prize money with no entry fee. I want to foster excellence in artistic endeavours and support creative individuals who wouldn't normally receive cash prizes for their efforts," said Mr Tribe.

"I am excited to see talented people such as Claire receive recognition for their exceptional abilities in expressing their passions," said Mr Tribe.

"Claire Jordan did well to take out the top prize against a number of highly regarded Australian composers," said Dr Karl Kramer. "Claire is an inspiring composer and we look forward to seeing where her passion for music will take her in the future."